Celebrate the Year of the Goat at the Firecracker Ceremony and New Year Parade

February 18, 2015

Do you know what this year is? Yes, it’s 2015, but that’s not what we mean. No, it’s not election year. (That’s next year. You’ve got one whole year before you want to hide in a closet to escape all the howling.) It’s the Year of the Goat! The Chinese New Year starts on February 19, and you can celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Firecracker Ceremony on February 19, and the Chinatown New Year Parade and Festival on February 22!

Firecracker Ceremony

The Firecracker Ceremony will take place at 11 AM at the Sara D. Roosevelt Park, on Grand Street between Chrystie Street and Forsyth Street. This spectacular event features more than 600,000 firecrackers, used to scare away evil spirits. There’s also a festival featuring singers, dancers, and food vendors. It promises to be a loud and awesome event, where you can learn more about the traditions surrounding the Chinese New Year.

Bring your family and friends, confetti, and your lucky New Year trinkets. Feel free to dress like a goat. (No head-butting, please.)

Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade

Colors, music, and culture are the hallmarks of the stunning Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade. It happens at 1 PM on Sunday, and starts at Canal and Mott Streets. From there, it winds its way through the main streets of Little Italy and Chinatown until it reaches Sara D. Roosevelt Park.

See acrobats, marching bands, spectacular floats, and dragon dances. There’s also going to be magicians and musicians as well. The party continues once the parade has ended, with more performances at the park.

Whether you started your new year in January, or you’re just getting started on the Year of the Goat, Seastreak wants to be part of your 2015! You and your leashed pets (no goats) are welcome on Seastreak’s comfortable catamarans.